Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

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The chairman of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation issued a statement March 29, saying that the organization takes responsibility for retired horses that previously have been rejected by other organizations.

The owner of Uncle Mo, winner of the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), is donating a portion of the colt's earnings from the World Championship race to support five equine retirement organizations.

A panel on transitioning Thoroughbred racehorses to second careers during the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit June 28 stressed the importance of protecting horses while they're on the track.

In order to raise awareness for and benefit horse rescue and retirement organizations, Mike Repole and NYRA are donating a total of $30,000 to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and the Exceller Fund.

The Jockey Club is once again offering owners and breeders the opportunity to contribute, through a voluntary checkoff program, to Thoroughbred aftercare programs at the time they register their foals in 2010.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and Suffolk Downs, through the support of the Fields Family Foundation, have established a home for retired racehorses at the Plymouth County Sheriff's Farm in Plymouth, Mass., where inmates from the Plymouth County Correctional Facility will care for the horses as part of the facility's extensive vocational program.

The New York Racing Association and many members of the Jockeys' Guild who ride at its three racetracks, along with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and The Jockey Club, have jointly pledged more than $100,000 in financial support in 2009 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation,

When Thoroughbred owners and breeders in North America submit their foal registration applications on or after Jan. 1, 2009, they will be able to participate in a voluntary checkoff program, created and administered by The Jockey Club, which will assist two organizations that provide post-racing care for Thoroughbreds.

From even the greatest tragedy can come good. Eight Belles' death no doubt will be a catalyst for Thoroughbred racing to provide better safety for the horses. For Laura Hillenbrand, author of the classic book, "Seabiscuit," the filly's death would have a profound effect not only on her, but a 9-year-old gelding named Rudster.

Woodford Reserve has donated the proceeds from its $1,000 Mint Julep program to Thoroughbred Charities of America, it was announced Dec. 21. The Midway-based non-profit received $116,337 from sales of the limited edition cups.

Several members have recently left the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's board of directors, exits that parallel allegations that leadership dissension and financial struggles are plaguing the non-profit organization.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will be taking phone bids Feb. 2 for a day at the races in a third floor suite donated by Gulfstream Park for the 56th running of the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) on March 31.

Bowl Game, the champion turf male of 1979 who was believed to be the oldest living Eclipse Award winner, was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age Nov. 10 at the age of 32. Under the care of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation since 1998, he had been living at the Paeonian Springs, Va., farm of TRF President Johnathan Miller.

Pierre Bellocq, the renowned racing artist known as "Peb" and Marlene Brody, owner of Gallagher's Steak House, will be joined by celebrities from the racing world, sports, and entertainment at a benefit gala Nov. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. EST at Gallagher's in New York City.

Thanks in large part to the $58,000 celebrity chef Bobby Flay spent on options to breed to two of the sport's top stallions, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation raised in excess of $500,000 Aug. 7 at its annual gala at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club.

The Blue Grass Farms Chaplaincy Ladies Guild and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation announced that Anita Madden will serve as honorary chairperson at the groups' fundraiser to be held Oct. 9 at the Lexington Marriott Griffin Gate.

Two retired Thoroughbreds are among the first Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation horses set to return to their birthplaces under a TRF initiative to include breeders in the care and expenditures involved in taking care of the more than 1,300 retired horses under the organization's care.

With the horse racing industry responding to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's need to care for a rapidly increasing population of retirees--now numbering 1,037--the charity raised $629,000 at its annual fundraiser Monday night at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron has entered into an agreement with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to supply horses for the North American Racing Academy, a riding school McCarron plans to open later this year.

Midwestern-based jockeys Brian Hernandez Jr., a leading candidate for an Eclipse Award as the nation's outstanding apprentice, and Justin Shepherd have agreed to wear the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's logo on their pants.

Second Chances Stables, at the Wateree River Correctional Institute near Camden, South Carolina, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's (TRF) newest retirement farm, will officially open during ceremonies to be held there Saturday, Nov. 19.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's sixth annual fund-raising party held Monday night at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club exceeded all expectations as 450 guests attended for a chance to bid on unique experiences and stallion seasons while helping out a good cause. The event raised $425,000.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's sixth annual fund-raisin party held Monday night at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club exceeded al expectations as 450 guests attended for a chance to bid on unique experiences, stallion seasons, not to mention helping a good cause while having a great time.

Smarty Jones' breeder/owners Roy and Patricia Chapman and trainer John Servis will not only celebrate their Kentucky Derby (gr. I) victory at Churchill Downs on Saturday, they'll also be supporting a good cause as they attend the third annual "Out to Pasture" Party.

Terence Collier was unanimously named president of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation by the organization's board of directors. Collier, the director of marketing and sales announcer for Fasig-Tipton, succeeds John Stuart.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation raised more than $500,000 at its annual gala, held Monday. Aug. 4, at the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club. The bulk of the money, a record amount for the event, was raised through separate live auctions, one for season options to breed to select stallions, the other for "unique experiences."

Churchill Downs Inc. raised $77,300 for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation ("TRF") during fundraisers held in Louisville, Ky., and Miami during June 2003. All proceeds from the fundraisers will go to the care and feeding of horses retired to – or being rehabilitated at – TRF farms.